as in beginnings
the point at which something begins
money is not the alpha and omega—the beginning and end—of life's purpose
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Recent Examples of alphas
In the past few years, Underwood has come to realize that a bunch of barking alphas may not, in fact, be the best way to build a successful pack.
—
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
As a ballplayer, Kent was as irascible as Bonds; the two alphas reportedly brawled behind clubhouse doors, and famously clashed in the dugout during a 2002 game, when Bonds lunged for Kent’s throat and pushed him against the wall.
—Jeremy Collins, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
As a ballplayer, Kent was as irascible as Bonds; the two alphas reportedly brawled behind clubhouse doors, and famously clashed in the dugout during a 2002 game, when Bonds lunged for Kent’s throat and pushed him against the wall.
—Jeremy Collins, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alphas
Noun
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Humble beginnings Menjívar arrived undocumented in the United States at age 18, fleeing a bloody civil war in El Salvador, stowed away in a car to avoid detection at the border.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
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Over the last two years, the actress has reportedly picked up two neighboring properties in the area, creating what already looks like the beginnings of a private compound spread across roughly half an acre.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
Noun
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Freeland had walked only five batters in his first four starts.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
4 May 2026
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Gamboa was limited by injury during spring training, allowing three runs over two innings in two appearances, and has allowed nine runs in 13 innings over three starts with Triple-A Worcester.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
4 May 2026
Noun
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By moving some commencements away from increasingly costly private sites, the financially ailing school district could have saved about half a million dollars a year.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alphas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alphas. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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